The Algerian prosecution has requested 15 years in prison against "
Madame Maya
", the "
hidden daughter
" of deposed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on appeal since Saturday in Tipaza, near Algiers, according to the official APS press agency.
“
Madame Maya
”, an Algerian businesswoman posing as Mr. Bouteflika's daughter, is on trial for corruption along with 13 other defendants.
To read also: "Madame Maya", the false hidden girl of Bouteflika, had put Algiers at her feet
His appeal trial opened on Saturday in Tipaza with the hearing of the accused and witnesses, and continued on Sunday with the defense pleadings.
The prosecution requested fifteen years in prison against her, and ten years against her two daughters, Imene and Farah.
The influential "
Mrs. Maya
", whose real name is Zoulikha-Chafika Nachinache, was sentenced at first instance on October 14 to twelve years in prison, a fine of six million dinars (40,000 euros) and the seizure of her goods.
She had been convicted in particular of “
money laundering
”, “
influence peddling
”, “
squandering of public funds
” and “
illicit transfer of foreign currency
”.
His two daughters had received five years in prison.
Unknown to the general public before this affair, “
Ms. Maya
” built a colossal fortune on a rumor which made her the “
hidden daughter
” of the former head of state.
Widely relayed by the entourage of Mr. Bouteflika, the rumor allowed him to benefit from many privileges and the protection of senior officials such as the powerful former boss of the police, Abdelghani Hamel.
But in July 2019, three months after the resignation of Mr. Bouteflika, during a search of his residence in Moretti, a chic seaside resort on the outskirts of Algiers, the security services discovered a real cave of Ali Baba. .
They seized nearly 800,000 euros in Algerian dinars, 270,000 euros, $ 30,000, and 17 kg of gold jewelry, and the investigation revealed his links to several senior officials.
Two former ministers, Mohamed Ghazi and Abdelghani Zaalane, as well as the former police chief have been sentenced to ten years in prison in this case.
The prosecution requested on appeal fifteen years in prison for MM.
Ghazi and Zaalane and twelve years for Mr. Hamel, according to APS.
After the fall of the ex-strongman, the Algerian justice launched a series of investigations for corruption.
Serial sentences to heavy prison terms have revealed the extent of the fortunes amassed by the men of the seraglio of the former head of state.
sc / agr / vl